• Tough
• Crack resistant
• Soft
• Ability to work-harden

Martensitic and High Speed Steels:

• High stress, heavy impact
• Tough
• Good combination of abrasion and impact resistance
• Abrasion resistance that increases with carbon and chromium content at the expense of impact resistance

Nickel- and Cobalt-Based Alloys:

• Non-lubricated metal-to-metal wear
• Wear resistance
• Corrosion resistance
• Heat resistance
• Good all-around strength
• Low ductility

Martensitic and High-Chromium Iron:

• Abrasive conditions accompanied by high temperature and/or corrosion
• Excellent resistance to wear by most materials
• Brittle

Tungsten Carbide Deposits:

• Extreme resistance to sliding abrasion by hard minerals
• Worn surfaces become rough
• Extremely abrasive conditions where extra cost is warranted